Arts festival returns after community crowdfunding

People can watch acrobats, street artists create murals and a professional wrestling show when a festival returns this weekend.

Arts collective New Urban Era (Nue) said the Art of Tamworth will take place in the town's castle grounds this Saturday after "local passion and community spirit" helped raise £8,000, boosted by council and charity support.

Nue founder, Vic Brown, said they were disappointed not to receive Arts Council England (ACE) funding for its wider programme of events this year, but recognised there was high demand and "the show must go on".

The arts council acknowledged its funding was "always competitive", adding it was pleased the festival was still going ahead.

Brown said Saturday's free festival received "crucial backing" from Tamworth Borough Council, ward councillors and the Staffordshire Space scheme, which funded the "high-octane Bathory Pro-Wrestling showcase".

As well as ring-side action, the festival at Tamworth Castle includes beatbox and dance workshops and stalls for creative arts.

Brown said: "It is disappointing not to be funded by Arts Council England (ACE) for our two-year project, however we appreciate the high demand for funding during this difficult time for the sector.

"Arts Council England has been a fantastic, long-standing supporter of New Urban Era over the years, and their past funding has been crucial in building Tamworth's creative scene to where it is today.

"We remain hugely positive about our ongoing relationship with ACE and fully plan to resubmit our application later this year."

He thanked supporters for rallying, adding the festival would be a "true celebration of local resilience, talent, and creativity".

Liz Johnson, Midlands area director at ACE, said: "We're delighted that New Urban Era, who delivers the annual Art of Tamworth Festival, has been able to continue, despite not receiving Arts Council funding for this year's event.

"Arts Council funding is always competitive, and we currently have a success rate of 33% across the country, which is why we are unable to fund some really good applications."

She added New Urban Era had received six National Lottery project grants since 2018, totalling £160,000 "allowing them to bring great creative experiences to the people of Tamworth".

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